Two Point Museum feels different right from the start. While it retains the core Two Point gameplay loop of building and managing a museum, it introduces a fresh twist with expeditions. These expeditions allow you to venture out to find new artifacts, which can then be displayed in the museum to boost its appeal and value. What makes this exciting is that expeditions aren’t limited to a single location—new areas are gradually unlocked as you complete more missions. Each expedition comes with its own rewards and risks, such as staff injuries or even permanent losses. Some fossils and artifacts require multiple expeditions to fully uncover, which adds a layer of depth and progression to the gameplay.

At its core, the game is about managing a museum—making it an attractive destination for visitors, keeping staff and budgets in check, and acquiring unique artifacts or building attractions to boost revenue. There are numerous systems tied to this, like training staff, crafting new attractions in the workshop, and decorating the museum to increase the “Buzz” around each exhibit. Visually, the game carries the same charming, quirky style as previous Two Point titles, and while there’s some asset reuse, it still feels fresh and engaging. It’s easy to lose track of time as you work through objectives, constantly striving to improve and expand your museum.

The game features a variety of museums to manage, starting with a prehistoric museum and expanding into unique settings like a supernatural haunted hotel, a science center, and even an aquarium. This variety keeps the experience fresh as you progress, addressing a common issue I had with Two Point Hospital, where opening a new hospital often felt like repeating the same basics. The progression system has also been revamped—instead of a three-star rating, it’s now essentially endless, with shared objectives across museums that encourage players to keep building and improving.

True to Two Point Studios’ style, Two Point Museum is filled with funny and quirky humor. Watching the public interact with exhibits is endlessly entertaining, thanks to the variety of animations based on their reactions. The interface is clean and intuitive, even when using a controller, making the game accessible without needing a mouse and keyboard. There are also plenty of quality-of-life improvements, like sorting staff by their satisfication levels or breaking down monthly expenses to better manage profits.

The main goal is, of course, to make money, and there are multiple ways to do this. Ticket sales are the primary source of income, but you can also place donation boxes near exhibits, set up gift shops, and install food stalls or attractions to encourage visitors to spend more. All this revenue goes toward paying staff salaries, expanding the museum, and funding expeditions to uncover new artifacts. It’s a satisfying loop that keeps you engaged as you balance creativity, management, and strategy.

Most of my playtime with Two Point Museum was on the Steam Deck, where the game runs surprisingly well. I did notice that performance can dip below 60 FPS when the museum is packed with visitors and buzzing with activity, but it never dropped to a level that affected gameplay. Since the gameplay mainly involves managing the museum, placing or moving items, and navigating menus, the experience remains smooth as long as the performance stays above the 30 FPS threshold. The game also includes a fast-forward feature to speed things up, but with so many tasks to juggle in each museum, I found myself rarely using it. The variety of activities keeps you busy enough that time flies by on its own.

Two Point Museum Game Information

• Price: $29.99
• Publisher: Sega
• Developer: Two Point Studios
• Platform: PC (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

The post Two Point Museum Review – Where History Meets Hilarity appeared first on TwistedVoxel.

The game’s name, Split Fiction, ties directly to its core concept: a world divided into two realities—Science-Fiction and Fantasy. The levels alternate between these two distinct settings, creating a dynamic and visually striking experience. The story follows two aspiring writers, Mio Hudson and Zoe Festor, who are seeking a breakthrough in their careers. They’re invited to participate in an experimental simulation for a device called “The Machine” by a company named Rader Publishing. The experiment promises to let users experience their submitted stories as immersive simulations. However, after an accident traps Mio and Zoe in a shared simulation bubble, their fictional worlds begin to glitch and merge, revealing that Rader Publishing’s intentions are far from what they initially seemed.

Split Fiction is primarily a split-screen experience, even when playing online. Two players control the two leads, Mio and Zoe, who offer entirely different gameplay experiences. The developers have given each character a distinct color scheme, which is especially noticeable in the science-fiction levels—Mio sports a pink palette, while Zoe has a green one. These colors aren’t just cosmetic; they also guide players through the levels. For example, Mio can use her sword to cut through plugs and wires, while Zoe uses her green-coded beam to lift and throw objects. When the setting shifts to the Fantasy world, the characters gain new powers, often unique to specific levels. This keeps the gameplay fresh and ensures that each level feels distinct. To fully experience everything the game has to offer, two playthroughs are essential, as each character’s perspective adds depth to the story.

The story, true to Hazelight’s style, is deeply engaging and uses the game’s concept to explore the personal histories of the characters. Zoe reflects on her past, crafting stories that are more upbeat and cheerful, while Mio comes across as more reserved and distant, dealing with her own inner struggles. These struggles are woven into the narrative, like Mio’s financial difficulties and her landlord’s constant demands for rent. These moments feel genuine and help players connect emotionally with the characters. It’s a hallmark of Josef Fares’ games—creating relatable, human characters and putting them through real-life challenges that resonate with players. This emotional depth is what makes Split Fiction stand out, just like Hazelight’s previous titles.

The gameplay in Split Fiction fully embraces Hazelight Studios’ philosophy of continuous reinvention, ensuring players never settle into a predictable routine. Each chapter introduces new mechanics, fresh challenges, and entirely distinct settings, making every hour feel like a whirlwind of unique adventures.

Mio and Zoe seamlessly transition between cyberpunk cityscapes, desolate alien worlds, enchanted medieval towns, and lush forests. The level design is consistently impressive, featuring gravity-defying platforming, fast-paced vehicle chases, shape-shifting puzzles, and physics-based interactions. At its core, the game is about fostering cooperative synergy, demanding flawless coordination between both players. While the duo shares basic moves like double jumping, dashing, and swinging, their individual abilities change dramatically depending on the level. For instance, in one level, Mio might wield a cybernetic katana to slice through obstacles, while Zoe uses a whip to manipulate objects. In another, they transform into different animals, each with unique traversal mechanics. This constant evolution keeps the gameplay exciting and ensures no two moments feel the same.

While Split Fiction demands a high level of coordination and precision, it remains accessible for the most part. Frequent checkpoints help minimize frustration, and a range of accessibility features—like key remapping, camera assistance, and optional difficulty adjustments—ensure that a wider audience can enjoy the game.

Hazelight’s mastery of pacing shines throughout Split Fiction. Intense action sequences, such as escaping a supernova explosion or engaging in a high-speed motorcycle chase, are balanced by quieter moments of exploration and puzzle-solving. Boss fights cap off each chapter, requiring quick reflexes and strategic teamwork to overcome. The game also experiments with different perspectives, seamlessly shifting between 3D and 2.5D viewpoints, which adds even more variety to the experience.

Scattered throughout the adventure are twelve side stories—self-contained mini-adventures that introduce bizarre and inventive scenarios. These moments are some of the most memorable in the game, like transforming into pigs only to be turned into sausages or competing in a surreal game show with bombs. While these diversions don’t impact the main story, they add extra layers of humor and creativity, making the world of Split Fiction feel even more vibrant and unpredictable.

Split Fiction runs on Unreal Engine 5, though it doesn’t fully utilize the engine’s key graphical features like Lumen and Nanite. Despite not being a technical showcase, the game’s visuals still manage to deliver impactful and chaotic action sequences. The surreal art style beautifully captures both sci-fi and fantasy elements, whether it’s a neon-lit metropolis filled with flying cars or a mystical woodland alive with ancient magic.

The game’s audio design further enhances the experience, featuring a dynamic soundtrack that adapts to each setting. While there’s no single standout theme, the music effectively complements the action and exploration. Voice acting is another strong point, with Mio and Zoe delivering natural, engaging performances that highlight their evolving partnership throughout the story. That said, the dialogue can occasionally feel a bit cheesy.

Overall, Split Fiction solidifies Hazelight Studios’ reputation for innovative cooperative gameplay. Its relentless creativity, constant reinvention of mechanics, and seamless blend of action, puzzles, and humor make for an exhilarating experience. Whether navigating intricate platforming sections, tackling chaotic boss battles, or diving into the absurdity of its side stories, co-op fans are in for an unforgettable ride.

Split Fiction Game Information

• Price: $49.99
• Publisher: EA Originals
• Developer: Hazelight Studios
• Platform: PC/PS5 (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

The post Split Fiction Review – A Co-op Gem That Pushes Boundaries appeared first on TwistedVoxel.

The game’s time period is an interesting choice. Set in mid-19th century Japan during the Bakumatsu period, leading up to the Boshin War, it immerses players in a turbulent historical era. Instead of a fixed protagonist, the game uses a character creation system, letting you control the Blade Twins—siblings seeking vengeance after their family is murdered by the Shogunate. They join a resistance group called the Veiled Edge and embark on a quest for revenge. The story also incorporates historical figures like Ryoma Sakamoto and delves into the political chaos of the time.

Rise of the Ronin’s combat is flashy and dynamic, with a heavy emphasis on parrying to counter and overpower enemies. Mastering this skill is crucial to winning most fights, and the tutorial does a good job of teaching it. There’s a variety of weapons to choose from, each with its own unique set of attacks. The game also features multiple choices during key scenarios, which can lead to different endings. Combined with its choice-driven narrative and engaging gameplay, Rise of the Ronin offers solid replay value.

The game offers multiple difficulty levels at the start, making it accessible for players who might not be as skilled in action games. You can explore various cities, including Yokohama, Kyoto, and Edo, along with their surrounding countryside areas. These locations are fully open for exploration, whether you’re riding a horse, using a grappling hook, or gliding through the air. The weapons are another highlight, featuring unique designs that go beyond just katanas—Boshin War-era firearms are also available, reflecting the Western influence on Japan during that time.

However, like many open-world games, Rise of the Ronin struggles with its side content. While you can liberate towns and clear bandit camps, these activities start to feel repetitive after a while. Completing these tasks can unlock additional sidequests from NPCs in the area, but they don’t always feel fresh or engaging. The story, while decent, leans heavily on the overused theme of revenge, and the cast of characters doesn’t stand out as particularly memorable. Since the main character is a player-created persona, there’s only so much depth they can have, which limits their development. Additionally, with so many games already set in this historical period, Rise of the Ronin can sometimes feel like it’s retreading familiar ground, giving a sense of “been there, done that.”

The PC port of Rise of the Ronin feels quite demanding, and the visuals don’t fully justify the hardware requirements. Even when testing it on two different setups—one with an RTX 4070 and another with an RTX 3080—I struggled to achieve stable performance. Tweaking settings was necessary to get the desired results, but maxing out the settings didn’t deliver the visual polish I had hoped for. While it does look better than the PS5 version and performs more smoothly depending on your hardware, the visual upgrade isn’t a huge leap forward. The game includes a ray-tracing toggle, but it doesn’t seem to be anything groundbreaking, likely limited to shadows and occasional reflections rather than advanced features like ray-traced global illumination.

On the positive side, the game supports ultra-widescreen displays right from the start and includes frame generation. However, players with high refresh rate monitors will be limited by the 120 FPS cap currently in place. While this is an improvement over the PS5 version, the game still suffers from stutters that can affect gameplay. In the pre-release version I tested, frame generation felt a bit buggy. DLSS didn’t provide much of a performance boost, while FSR Frame Generation felt smoother but had a noticeable bug where the UI was cut off when enabled. These issues are expected to be addressed in patches around the game’s official launch on March 11.

Rise of the Ronin Game Information

• Price: $59.99
• Publisher: Koei Tecmo
• Developer: Koei Tecmo
• Platform: PC (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

The post Rise of the Ronin Review – A Mixed Blade of Potential appeared first on TwistedVoxel.

Monster Hunter Wilds is one of the most ambitious entries in the series, and not just because of its visuals or demanding system requirements. While it’s known on PC for pushing even high-end hardware to its limits, it still represents a solid evolution over Monster Hunter World and its more streamlined successor, Monster Hunter Rise. Free from the limitations of older consoles and dated hardware, the developers have fully utilized the new RE Engine to deliver ray-traced visuals and smooth animations. However, this comes at the cost of hefty system requirements, much like Dragon’s Dogma 2. It’s clear by now that while the RE Engine is technically impressive, it struggles to optimize and scale well for open-world games.

Despite these flaws, the gameplay in Monster Hunter Wilds is some of the most complex in the franchise. With a wide variety of weapons to master and a massive arsenal of items and equipment to collect, there’s plenty to keep players engaged. The monsters are as fearsome as ever, animated with a lifelike ferocity that makes them both awe-inspiring and challenging to defeat.

This is definitely not a game to jump into if you’re new to the Monster Hunter franchise. While the developers have included tutorials at every step to explain the basic gameplay mechanics, the combat and the various elements of the progression system can still feel overwhelming for newcomers. The game doesn’t fully open up until you’re several hours into the story. The initial hunts are against standard monsters, but once the game introduces the larger, more fearsome beasts, that’s when the gameplay truly shines.

My first experience with the franchise was Monster Hunter World, as I never played the earlier games on PSP or 3DS. Monster Hunter World was ambitious for its time, but it featured segmented world maps with limited traversal. Monster Hunter Wilds takes things a step further, offering a more expansive and interconnected world map that makes you feel like you’re part of a much larger environment. The story follows familiar genre tropes, with you playing as a hunter tasked with venturing into the Forbidden Lands. This area has been untouched by humans for a long time until a group of hunters, including the main character, stumbles upon a young boy named Nata. He tells them about the Forbidden Lands and a monster called the “White Wraith” that attacked his people. The journey to the Forbidden Lands is supported by a cast of interesting NPCs, like Gemma, the blacksmith, and Anna, a seasoned hunter, who add depth and charm to the adventure. You also have your trusty Palico by your side, assisting not just in hunts but throughout your journey.

The game has a fairly accessible tutorial system, especially considering the 14 different weapons available. Hunters typically start with one main weapon, and a secondary weapon is unlocked after completing the initial quests. The game provides an easy-to-use interface to help you figure out which weapon suits your playstyle best. For me, it was the Gunlance, which offered a great balance of attack and defense, allowing me to get up close to monsters and take them down efficiently.

Each monster in the game is a masterpiece. The developers have put incredible effort into designing these creatures, giving them unique habitats, behaviors, and characteristics. The main story isn’t overly long, taking around 30 to 40 hours to complete if you focus on the main content. It’s not an extremely challenging game, and the developers have ensured that even solo players can summon AI hunters to assist during hunts, making it easier to tackle monsters without needing friends to join. Side activities like crafting, charms, and cooking also help make low-rank hunts more manageable, so the main story rarely feels too difficult.

Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t your typical action game. The weapons feel weighty and require precise strikes on the weak or damaged parts of monsters. The new Focus Mode mechanic makes this process easier by allowing you to target specific areas more effectively. Monsters can now become wounded if you repeatedly hit the same body part, exposing it and making it more vulnerable to further damage.

The story mode is highly cinematic, with plenty of cutscenes that detail every major event. These aren’t short clips either—many are lengthy, action-packed sequences that require minimal player input but keep you engaged. The game’s focus isn’t on fighting large groups of enemies but rather on taking down massive, fearsome beasts that can overwhelm you with a single attack. Quick shortcuts tied to trigger buttons let you summon hunters, use a whetstone, or heal on the fly, keeping the action smooth and intuitive.

The new gameplay additions include the ability to build traps to use against monsters. The environment plays a key role in this mechanic, allowing players to interact with specific parts of the map to set up traps or trigger them from a distance using the Slinger. You can choose to ignore these traps, but some hunts tie optional objectives to using them. Completing high-ranked hunts with these challenges leads to better rewards. Even just exploring the map to survey an area can result in unexpected encounters with wild monsters, some of which are more aggressive and short-tempered than others.

I tested the game on a PC with an RTX 3080, a mid-range CPU, and 32 GB of RAM, but even that setup struggled to maintain a stable 60 FPS. I had to tweak several settings, including turning off ray-tracing, to achieve the performance I wanted. After adjusting, most of my experience was smooth, though I did encounter traversal stutter while exploring the world on my 4K VRR display. That said, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the game. The developers are still working on optimizations, so it’s likely that future patches will improve performance further.

Monster Hunter Wilds Game Information

• Price: $69.99
• Publisher: Capcom
• Developer: Capcom
• Platform: PC (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

The post Monster Hunter Wilds Review – Bigger, Bolder, and More Demanding appeared first on TwistedVoxel.

The protagonist, Takeshi Kuranari, is an ordinary college student whose life takes a dramatic turn when he visits an underwater theme park called LeMU. During his trip, he becomes trapped in the park alongside a handful of other individuals, and together they must find a way to escape this underwater nightmare. If this setup reminds you of Uchikoshi’s more recent games, you’re not wrong to think so.

The remastered version features an improved art style that stays true to the original while looking more visually appealing than Never 7. Even though the game was originally released over two decades ago, the writing still holds up remarkably well. The best part is that you don’t need to play the other games in the series to enjoy this one—it works perfectly as a standalone story. There are only subtle thematic connections between Never 7 and Ever 17, so you can start with either game without missing much.

While it might sound like a thriller, Ever 17 has its fair share of slice-of-life moments. Between the tense and stressful scenes, there are long stretches of calm where the story takes its time to introduce the main cast. This, however, is also one of the game’s drawbacks—it takes a while to really get going. If you can push through the slower opening hours, the story does improve significantly. Like Never 7, the game features different character routes that depend on the choices you make early on.

Exploring these routes helps build the world’s lore and gives a deeper understanding of the story. While the narrative is stronger here, the English localization still has occasional issues, like typos, which make it feel like there wasn’t enough quality control. The new sci-fi setting adds a layer of mystery that was missing in Never 7. LeMU might seem like an exciting underwater theme park at first, but it hides dark secrets that create a sense of despair for the characters.

Another strength of the game is how Uchikoshi has put more effort into developing the cast. The characters feel more fleshed out, making it easier to connect with them. As mentioned earlier, the experience is more linear compared to the time loops in Never 7. While the different routes offer unique perspectives, they sometimes repeat the same scenarios, which can’t be skipped. Additionally, some scenes feel like filler and don’t contribute much to the story. Trimming these could have helped improve the pacing.

The different endings in the game offer a fresh perspective on the events, showing them through the eyes of different characters. Completing every route eventually leads to a final outcome that completely shifts how you see the world and its characters. While some twists can be figured out if you pay close attention to the in-game hints, I was still completely surprised as the mystery slowly unfolded. The game doesn’t lean too heavily on romance, keeping the focus firmly on LeMU and the mystery surrounding it.

Ever 17 – The Out of Infinity Game Information

• Price: $29.99
• Publisher: Spike Chunsoft
• Developer: MAGES
• Platform: Switch (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

The post Ever 17 – The Out of Infinity Review – An Underwater Thriller with Unforgettable Payoffs appeared first on TwistedVoxel.

The Infinity series consists of three games, and the new ports focus on two of them: Never 7 and Ever 17. While they are part of the same series, there isn’t a strong connection between the two, so players can enjoy them in any order. The story of Never 7 follows Makoto Ishihara, who wakes up from a dream in which a girl dies right in front of him. The dream takes place on April 6, but the story then rewinds to April 1, where Makoto is preparing to attend a special university seminar.

Never 7 starts off feeling like a traditional visual novel, with a focus on romance and relationships between the characters. However, the sci-fi elements are subtly introduced through a loop mechanic. Players can make choices that lead to different outcomes, and if a tragedy occurs, they can go back in time and try again. This mechanic, while straightforward, was innovative at the time and has since influenced many other visual novels. That said, by today’s standards, the impact of the different routes feels less pronounced, and the game might not feel as groundbreaking as it did when it first released.

Makoto has the ability to sense events before they happen, like the strange dream of a death occurring on April 6. Through his memories, he pieces together that this death might be linked to the sound of a bell. The story introduces many characters, and while the opening sets up expectations for the ending, there are still plenty of unanswered questions left for players to uncover. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t handle its characters particularly well, and their introductions feel lacking. Additionally, there are occasional issues with the English localization, where the tone and nuance of conversations sometimes feel lost in translation.

The art style is plain and somewhat generic, with nothing particularly eye-catching. This is partly due to the game’s age, as it was released a long time ago. While the remaster attempts to clean up the visuals, the character designs remain unchanged. The updated character art can be hit or miss, often giving off a low-quality, generic anime vibe. The music isn’t a strong point either, so it doesn’t leave much of an impression. Combined with average writing and a rather disappointing ending, this visual novel is hard to recommend.

That said, the story does offer some interesting twists, even if much of the narrative sticks to predictable tropes. The ending leaves certain elements ambiguous, leaving players to interpret the outcome. While I didn’t connect with the characters much, I was surprised by the number of choices available and how they impact the story. Ultimately, Never 7 isn’t a visual novel that will blow fans away, but considering its original release, it might be worth exploring to see how the medium has evolved over time.

Never 7 – The End of Infinity Game Information

• Price: $19.99
• Publisher: Spike Chunsoft
• Developer: MAGES
• Platform: Switch (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

The post Never 7 – The End of Infinity Review – Curious Relic of the Genre’s Past appeared first on TwistedVoxel.

As for the game itself, it focuses on solving urban myths that occur in the world. The main theme revolves around the Urban Myth Dissolution Center, an organization tasked with uncovering the mysteries behind these myths. This involves investigating locations for clues, uncovering the truth behind the myths, and learning about the history of the individuals who report encountering them. The narrative has a fantastical element, with the main character having the ability to wear special glasses that reveal dimensional anomalies. The psychic Director of the Urban Myth Dissolution Center also uses his powers to guide the main character, who starts as a new trainee, in solving the various urban myths throughout the game.

The biggest positive for me personally was the game’s fantastic art style. It has a very distinct pixelated look that feels nostalgic, like old-school games, while still managing to appear modern. As a visual novel with point-and-click gameplay, it also has excellent controller support. The game runs beautifully on the Steam Deck, where every pixel looks sharp and perfect on the screen. I was really impressed with how the developers chose to present the cutscenes and overall art style. The color palette mostly relies on a mix of blue and red to provide visual cues, which I found interesting and unique.

The main story is intriguing, especially since I’m a big fan of solving mysteries and hunting for clues. However, I feel like the pacing drags a bit in Urban Myth Dissolution Center. The main character doesn’t get much development or a chance to truly shine, and the side characters, while interesting, often feel like they’re just there to move the story forward. That said, the writing itself is excellent, but it’s held back by the slow pace of the story, which might be a turnoff for some players.

The gameplay is mostly fun. Investigating a scene usually involves moving around to examine points of interest, talking to NPCs, using the special glasses to uncover dimensional anomalies, and piecing together the chain of events. Each urban myth starts with figuring out its identity and then leads to its resolution. During investigations, you can also check social media for clues, which I liked since it reflects how prevalent social media is in today’s world.

Gathering clues can feel a bit cumbersome at times, and while the game isn’t particularly difficult, it often requires a trial-and-error approach. The story is mostly linear, so there isn’t much replay value, but the budget-friendly price makes it worth the money if you enjoy the subject matter. The art style is fantastic, and I loved solving the mysteries and gathering clues. However, the pacing of the narrative felt too slow, and the characters didn’t resonate with me as much as those in other games, like the Ace Attorney series.

The game handles its urban myths well, but the quality of the cases doesn’t feel consistent. As I mentioned earlier, the gameplay loop is straightforward, so if you’re not a fan of it, chances are you might get bored by the end. I always enjoyed unlocking new clues, especially through the ability to deduce information from social media. I also liked how the developers tapped into the modern social media mindset, offering a somewhat accurate representation of how people react to these mysteries being posted online. It added a realistic touch to the game.

While there aren’t as many twists as I expected, I feel like games like this are rare, so I’m more than happy to see more of them being made. If the developers can polish the gameplay loop, deliver a tighter-paced campaign that doesn’t overstay its welcome, and focus on creating more interesting characters with better development, they could create an experience that rivals some of the genre’s finest, like Ace Attorney. For now, though, this is a good game with flaws, but it’s definitely worth giving a chance.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center Game Information

• Price: $17.99
• Publisher: Shueisha Games
• Developer: Hakababunko
• Platform: PC (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

The post Urban Myth Dissolution Center Review – Pixelated Mystery with Modern Flair appeared first on TwistedVoxel.

As a former member of the Tojo Clan Yakuza, Majima has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. In the opening chapter, he washes ashore on an island called Rich Island with no memory of how he got there. The amnesia plotline may feel overused, especially for fans of JRPGs where it is a common trope, but in this case, it serves as an effective way to reset Majima’s journey. It creates a fresh starting point as he pieces together past events and uncovers the truth behind his memory loss.

Majima wakes up to find himself rescued by a young boy named Noah, only to be thrown into immediate danger with the arrival of pirates. As he explores the island, he gradually builds friendships with its people, acquires a ship, and gathers a crew to embark on a new adventure. A deeper mystery unfolds as the story progresses, revealing a conflict between local Hawaiian pirates and former Yakuza members. Caught in the middle, Majima must confront both his past and the secrets behind his missing memories.

The most immediate difference from the mainline Yakuza games is that this is a brawler rather than a turn-based RPG. If you have played Like a Dragon: Gaiden, the combat here follows a similar approach. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has stated that spin-offs will likely focus on action gameplay, and that is evident in this game. The combat is stylish, though at its core, it can feel somewhat simple. The main highlight is the ability to dodge and perform heat actions. Majima can chain together low and high attacks to create combos, and a new system allows him to juggle opponents in the air, opening up even more combo opportunities. In some ways, it is reminiscent of the Devil May Cry series, though with a more streamlined combat system. As the game progresses, Majima unlocks additional abilities, starting with basic melee attacks before gaining access to weapons like the classic cutlass, a staple for any pirate.

The upgrade system is straightforward. It uses money as a currency alongside a points system to unlock or enhance moves. While it is not as deep or customizable as one might expect, it serves its purpose. Upgrades are not limited to Majima either, as the game also allows for ship upgrades. Majima can command a ship with a crew of misfits, each of whom gains experience points and levels up over time. There is even a crew bonding system that adds another layer to the progression mechanics. Overall, there are plenty of gameplay systems to manage beyond just Majima’s combat upgrades, ensuring there is always something to work toward.

The story itself is obviously a filler, but it still feels like a classic Like a Dragon adventure. It features plenty of cutscenes, lengthy dialogue exchanges, and a wide cast of side characters. If you enjoy extended conversations that build character depth, the cutscenes and interactions will feel familiar. While it may not set a new benchmark for storytelling, the game delivers a well-written narrative with a mix of humor and drama that keeps things engaging. The cast is full of entertaining personalities, and Majima himself is a character who never fails to bring energy to the experience.

It would not be a Like a Dragon game without its side stories and optional content, and a lot of effort has gone into making these extras feel meaningful. Classic SEGA Arcade games including from the Master System era are available to play, including in co-op. These can be accessed right from the start or later in the story once you unlock your first hideout.

The game also features a simple pet system where you can feed animals to build a bond with them—even a tiger is included. Over time, these pets will reward you with rare items or collectibles. In addition, there is a cooking minigame, treasure hunting across the sea, and fan-favorite activities like karaoke. While the game is not fully open-world, it does offer small segmented maps where you can explore the seas with your ship and crew. However, ship combat and controls are not particularly engaging, and by the end of the story, they can feel repetitive. Fortunately, the game includes warp points, allowing you to fast travel between locations once you have unlocked them. This was incredibly convenient and became my preferred way to travel after I had discovered most of the treasure.

Ship combat itself is not very high-stakes or complex, but it is well executed. You can even leave the mast and roam around the ship while wielding a rocket launcher, which adds some variety. Crew members can get bored or sick and need to be taken care of, and you can give them gifts to strengthen your bond with them. New crew members are recruited throughout the main story, while others can be unlocked by completing side stories.

I played the game on both PC and PS5. The PS5 version runs well overall, but there is an issue with HDR. Scenes often appeared either too washed out or too dark, at least with the default settings. Additionally, the aliasing was quite noticeable and visually distracting on the base PS5.

In comparison, the PC version is much better. I encountered some minor issues with frame generation support, but aside from that, the game performed excellently. It is well-optimized for PC and even runs smoothly on the Steam Deck. The image quality issues present on PS5 were completely absent on PC, making it my preferred platform to play the game. I am unsure if the PS5 Pro offers improved image quality, but on a 4K OLED display, the PS5 version did not look as good as some of the older Like a Dragon titles.

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii Game Information

• Price: $59.99
• Publisher: SEGA
• Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
• Platform: PC/PS5 (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

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Since I’m not very familiar with Virtua Fighter 5’s gameplay mechanics but have played most of the other major fighting games out there, my first step was to dive into the tutorial mode. Honestly, it’s not the best way to learn the game because it can be pretty confusing. The tutorial covers the general gameplay mechanics, teaching the basics like sidesteps, combos, and blocking, which are the foundation of Virtua Fighter 5. However, it’s not as intuitive as some modern fighting games, so there were moments where I wasn’t sure what to do next. I actually had to leave the tutorial and come back to it later because some of the instructions weren’t clear enough for someone new to the game.

Another letdown is the lack of single-player modes. I was surprised to see that the single-player content has been stripped away for some reason. All that’s left is an Arcade mode, which feels pretty pointless most of the time. There’s no proper story mode, aside from a cool cinematic opening. The other modes are mostly online-focused, like Tournament, Ranked, and Room matches. Offline, you’re pretty much limited to Versus mode or the Tutorial mode for practicing the basics.

When it comes to gameplay, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. stands out as one of the few fighting games that are played in 3D. Right now, Tekken 8 is the most popular 3D fighting game, and it’s been fantastic overall. While Virtua Fighter 5 might feel a bit dated in terms of visuals or gameplay systems, it’s still a lot of fun to play. The game is highly technical, meaning you can’t just button mash your way through, even in the lower ranks. You really need to understand concepts like punishes, whiff punishes, and sidestepping to gain an edge over your opponent. The rollback netcode in this PC release is surprisingly good, especially for such an old game. Matchmaking times can be a bit long, but the matches I played ran smoothly without any issues. Sure, there’s some added delay depending on your ping to the opponent, but the rollback netcode handles it well.

The biggest problem with the game right now is the lack of single-player content and the reduced customization options. The original PS4 version had a lot of customization features, but the developers have cut them from the PC release. If you want customization now, you’ll have to spend extra money to unlock it. This decision has understandably upset the community, and there’s been a fair amount of backlash. Personally, I’ve never been too bothered by customization in fighting games, even in Tekken 8 or Street Fighter 6, so it didn’t affect me much.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. uses a simple combo system with two attack buttons and a block button. You can also combine these buttons with directional inputs to pull off different moves. While it sounds straightforward, there’s a lot of technical depth to it. Mashing the same combos might work offline against certain opponents, but online ranked matches are a whole different story. Whiff punishes, where you need to carefully manage spacing and capitalize on enemy mistakes, play a huge role, as do sidesteps. These mechanics require practice and experience against other players to master. Despite the long matchmaking times, I still had a good time with the ranked mode.

Another thing worth mentioning is how well-optimized the Steam port is for low to mid-range hardware. I get that it’s an older game and not very demanding, but being able to play it at a smooth 60 FPS on the Steam Deck made me really happy. It runs at 60 FPS right out of the box, so no tweaks are needed. As my first introduction to the franchise, I really enjoyed Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., and now I’m excited to see what the developers do with the upcoming new game, which is rumored to be a reboot.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. Game Information

• Price: $19.99
• Publisher: SEGA
• Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
• Platform: PC (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

The post Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. Review – A Bare-Knuckle Port That Punches Above Its Weight appeared first on TwistedVoxel.

The story picks up where the first game left off. Players once again take control of Van Arkride, who finds himself investigating a series of mysterious deaths in Calvard. As he digs deeper, he crosses paths with a familiar yet sinister figure. Determined to uncover the truth, Van teams up with his friend Elaine Auclair. However, their investigation takes a dramatic turn when they encounter a crimson-colored being who ends up killing them. This shocking event kicks off the game’s multiverse concept, introducing elements of time travel into the mix.

One of the standout fanservice elements in The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is the return of familiar faces from previous games. Using the multiverse concept, the developers quickly reintroduce some more obscure characters, giving them a role in this installment. However, suppose you’re not already familiar with these characters. In that case, it can feel a bit overwhelming to catch up, even though the game provides helpful tools like an in-game glossary that details key events and backgrounds. That said, I’d still recommend playing the previous games in the franchise before diving into this sequel to fully appreciate the returning characters and their significance.

The biggest issue with Trails Through Daybreak II lies in its storytelling. The game adds unnecessary complexity with its non-linear narrative, which can make the plot harder to follow. While the storytelling isn’t the strongest in this sequel, players who are well-versed in the franchise’s lore and can recall past events will find it easier to settle into the game. Despite this, the character development is a highlight. Each character goes through a meaningful arc, leading to satisfying conclusions. Even with a large cast, none of the characters feel underdeveloped. I’d argue that this game features some of the best-written characters in the entire franchise.

The pacing of the story in The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, the ability to play through multiple groups of characters, each with their events and storylines, keeps the game feeling dynamic and prevents it from slowing down. However, juggling so many timelines and characters at once can also feel overwhelming, often leading to endings that feel uneven or lack impact. The mechanic of time-hopping to explore different paths can grow repetitive over time, and as the story progresses, it can sometimes disrupt the pacing.

That said, the non-linear narrative does have its merits. It allows characters to grow and evolve in meaningful ways. Over time, we see them confront their weaknesses, move past their struggles, and develop into more well-rounded individuals. This depth of character development is one of the game’s strongest points, and it’s satisfying to watch the cast grow and change throughout the story.

The combat system in The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II will feel familiar to players who enjoyed the first game, and that’s not a bad thing. The blend of action-focused attacks and turn-based battles remains a standout feature, keeping encounters engaging and dynamic. The system draws inspiration from the Ys series for its action elements, allowing players to attack enemies freely while exploring the field. This time, you can also execute special attacks to deal with foes more efficiently.

If you’re unable to defeat an enemy during the action phase, the battle can be transitioned into a turn-based segment. Here, positioning and strategy come into play. If the enemy isn’t at an advantage or disadvantage (like being stunned), you can unleash a flurry of attacks before they have a chance to recover. This seamless integration of action and turn-based mechanics ensures that combat stays fresh and rewarding throughout the game.

While the combat system didn’t introduce many new changes, it didn’t need to. The foundation was already strong, and the developers have wisely focused on refining what worked in the first game. For fans of the series, this means more of the satisfying, fast-paced battles they’ve come to love, with just enough tweaks to keep things interesting.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is a new addition to the series that, while not perfect in terms of its story, still delivers plenty of fun and engaging gameplay. For longtime fans, there’s a lot to love here, with rich character development and plenty of nods to the previous games. The battle system is as enjoyable as ever, with small changes that keep things fresh, and the side content is just as well-crafted. While it might not reach the heights of the best entries in the franchise, it’s still a solid sequel that offers a good amount of enjoyment.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II Game Information

• Price: $59.99
• Publisher: NIS America
• Developer: Nihon Falcom
• Platform: PC (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

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